How do you decipher which yoga class or teacher is right for you? Unsure what to make of all the different class styles and types? If you want to practice yoga but don’t know where to start, then keep reading because I’ll cover what to look for when choosing a yoga class and teacher, as well as all the mistakes to avoid so that you can get started on your yoga journey confidently.
If you’ve tried yoga and didn’t like it, you likely haven’t found a class type that meets your needs. Yoga has many class styles, so discovering which one you will enjoy ensures you have consistent practice. Here’s a list of the most common styles of yoga:
#1- Iyengar or Hatha Yoga – Founded by B.K.S Iyengar, this style of hatha yoga uses static holds in yoga poses with the use of props to support the body and without linking one pose to the next.
#2- Ashtanga – Founded by Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga yoga teaches a series of six set sequences of postures that are performed in a specific order. This rigorous practice is designed to build strength, flexibility, and endurance.
#3- Vinyasa or Flow Yoga – Vinyasa is a Sanskrit word that means to place specially. This style links postures with the breath in seamless transitions between yoga poses.
#4- Power Yoga- Modeled after Ashtanga yoga and developed in the 1990s out of gym culture, this is a rigorous practice that focuses on strength building and concentration.
#5- Hot or Bikram- Developed by Bikram Choudhury, this style of yoga uses a set sequence of 26 yoga poses in a hot room.
#6- Kundalini- An energetic practice designed to awaken the kundalini energy within.
#7- Restorative yoga- developed by Judith Lasiter, this style is a passive practice to restore the central nervous system and calm the mind. Supine yoga poses are held for as long as 10 minutes with the use of props to support the body.
#8- Yin Yoga- Created by Paulie Zink in the late 1970s, the purpose of this most recent style of yoga is to stretch the myofascial network and put tension in the joints to release the fascia. Specific poses are held for 3-5 minutes and are mostly on the floor in a seat, or lying down.
There are also many variations within each style and many niche class types, for example, beginner, chair, prenatal, gentle, Arial, and more!
Now that you know what the main styles of yoga are, it’s time to do your research! Look up local or online yoga studios and read through the websites. You’ll get a great sense of the studio ethos. Go to the class schedule and read the class descriptions to pick up keywords to help you identify which style of yoga they teach. Then read through each teacher’s bios to see if the language they use to describe their classes resonates with you. You’ll also want to look for the teacher’s years of experience, training credentials, and approach to teaching yoga.
If you are brand new to yoga, I’d highly recommend going to a beginner class or series so that you can learn the basics of yoga and the alignment of foundational yoga classes.
Next, choose a class and go! This can often be the most intimidating step, but remember that everyone in the studio had their own first-day experience, so you’re not alone! Go up to the teacher and introduce yourself, let them know you’re new, and share with them any injuries you might have.
Green flags to look for in the yoga teacher:
- Use of inclusive language
- Gives alignment cues
- Can teach to a variety of levels
- Exemplifies qualities of a yoga teacher such as compassion, kindness, and patience
Watch out for these Red Flags from a yoga teacher
- Only focuses on physical poses without respect for the deeper teachings of yoga
- Is dogmatic in their approach, ie, my way is the right way and the only way
- Overly corrects you or ignores you
- Chastises you for bad studio etiquette in front of people
The most important thing to remember when choosing a class is that if you take a class and don’t like it, ask yourself why, then use that answer to help you in your search for the right fit. With so many yoga styles and unique teachers, there’s a yoga class just right for you!
About the author”
Cathy Madeo is a yoga expert and founder of Cathy Madeo Yoga, a global online yoga school educating and empowering thousands of yoga students and teachers worldwide with her online courses and yoga teacher training.
You can learn more at www.cathymadeoyoga.com and follow her on Instagram @cathymadeoyoga
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
